The NBA and China had had a healthy relationship for a long time since 1978 when the league played an exhibition game in Shangai. Since then, it has been a regular choice for preseason games and other events. It got even more of a boom when Yao Ming was selected 1st overall in the 2002 NBA Draft, further strengthening the league’s reach in China.
Unfortunately, the league and country’s relationship soured when then-Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey wrote Tweets regarding China’s affairs in 2019. It left an impression on China, prompting companies to stop the league’s operations in China. It only changed in 2021 when the league and China mended their relationship.
“I think the NBA is in a very good place with respect to its relationship with China; China is actually the NBA’s biggest fan base. So what happened before, I think it’s water under the bridge,” Tsai said at the GBA International Sports Business Summit in Macau.
“I think just having the fans have real, in-person sort of interaction with the stars. I think that’s going to be important.”
Nets owner Joe Tsai is a co-founder and chairman of the Chinese multinational technology company Alibaba Group, meaning he has strong ties to the country. Combine that with his ownership of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and the WNBA’s New York Liberty, Tsai can bring both of his teams to play in China if he wants to.
Now that the NBA and China have a healthy relationship, Tsai’s Nets are the natural first choice for the team to play there. It would be great for the NBA to get a better fan base in China.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had a 2021 estimate that the league lost around $400 million after the controversy with Morey and China. Returning there would benefit the entire league, given it can give them a surge in profits.
When that happens, the league has the Nets to thank, given Tsai will be the bridge that connects the NBA to China.
